Growing trees and shrubs in shade can be a challenge if you choose plants that prefer sunny conditions. If you choose plants that are adapted to shady conditions, shade gardening is quite enjoyable and barely any work at all.
There are many shrubs and trees that prefer shade. They are understory plants that like the company of tall trees or overarching shrubs. Many have colorful blooms or foliage.
When choosing shrubs and trees for shade be sure to consider the following: (1) will the plant grow in my regions or growing zone; (2) what height and width will best fit the location; (3) is the plant evergreen or deciduous; (4) does the plant flower, have interesting foliage, or or colorful branches (for winter interest).
Planting in shade
Keep in mind that the soil under large trees can be poor or dry; trees draw up a lot of moisture and nutrients. Preparing the planting area for shade-loving shrubs and trees may require amending the soil with organic matter. Adding aged compost on a regular basis can transform poor soil. If you find tree roots in the spot where you want to plant, you can remove any roots less than 1-inch (2.5cm) in diameter without hurting the tree.
Dig a large hole for shrubs and trees, larger than you would in a sunny spot, then add plenty of aged compost or commercial organic planting mix; this will help new planting become esstablished.
Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.
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Chimonanthus–commonly called wintersweet–is a mid-size deciduous shrub that blooms in late winter and early spring. Its small sulfur yellow flowers are very fragrant and are borne on bare branches. Lance-shaped, glossy, mid-green leaves emerge after the plant flowers. Chimonanthus can be grown as a late winter specimen plant; set it in front of evergreens for…
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Ulmus is a genus of deciduous trees commonly called elms. Elms are commonly grown as shade trees. They are fast-growing and have high-spreading canopies. Elms are environmentally tough. But elms have notable drawbacks. They are shallow-rooted making it difficult to grow other plants beneath them; they have narrow branch crotches which can result in splitting…
Leucothoe — commonly called drooping Leucothoe –is a small to medium-size shrub that bears clusters of urn-shaped white flowers. Flowers bloom in racemes. Leucothoe has a graceful, arching shape, with branches of some species forming zigzags. Leucothoe shiny, leathery leaves are frequently colored bronze or purple in spring or fall. Leucothoe is effective in areas where its shape…
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